Theme Parks Re-Opening After Hurricane Ian

Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are starting to welcome guests back after Hurricane Ian –  but according to USA Today it’s not quite business as usual.

Here’s what hopeful guests should know about park reopening plans.

Disney World

Disney World began a phased reopening Friday morning, staggering opening times for its four main theme parks through early afternoon. Guests staying at Disney resort hotels were granted early entry into Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom two hours ahead of the general public.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will go on as scheduled Friday. Guests who had tickets for Thursday’s canceled party will receive automatic refunds to their original form of payment within seven business days.

Guests who weren’t able to use all the days on their multi-day theme park tickets because of Hurricane Ian will have the unused portion of their tickets automatically extended through Sept. 30, 2023. Guests who didn’t use any portion of their tickets can contact Disney to modify travel plans if they booked through the resort. Travelers who booked through third parties should reach out to those parties instead.

Among other reopening plans, Disney Springs reopened Friday morning. Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf is set to reopen at 3 p.m. Friday, but the resort’s other mini golf course will temporarily remain closed. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday for scheduled events. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park is expected to reopen on Sunday. Disney’s Blizzard Beach was already closed for the season.